Abstract
Twelve genotypes of pole type dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus var. typicus) were evaluated for their genetic variability and character association among nine quantitative traits under the Gangetic plains of eastern India. The study revealed significant variation in days to 50% flowering (57-115), length of pod (7.15-15.05 cm), breadth of pod (1.44-3.11 cm), weight of pod (2.92-8.92 g), 100 seed weight (22.2-45.50 g), number of pods/plant (768.3-1897), protein content of pod (0.70-5.45%) and pod yield/plant (5.07-12.21 kg). Genotypes showed differential reaction against Cercospora leaf spot and dolichos yellow mosaic virus. High yielding genotypes generally showed fewer incidences of diseases than the poor yielding genotypes. Characters like number of protein content of pod, number of pods/plant, breadth of pod, weight of pod and pod yield/plant exhibited high GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean indicating that such situation may arise due to the action of additive genes controlling the characters. From the correlation and path coefficient analysis, it revealed that the top priority should be given to selection based on the weight of pod, 100 dry seed weight and number of pods per plant for green pod yield improvement and could be considered while formulating selection indices in the improvement of pole type dolichos bean.